Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

US7708406B2 - Refractometer for determining the refraction properties of an eye - Google Patents

Refractometer for determining the refraction properties of an eye Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US7708406B2
US7708406B2 US11/784,320 US78432007A US7708406B2 US 7708406 B2 US7708406 B2 US 7708406B2 US 78432007 A US78432007 A US 78432007A US 7708406 B2 US7708406 B2 US 7708406B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
refractometer
eye
distance
optical
light
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US11/784,320
Other versions
US20070236664A1 (en
Inventor
Gert Koest
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Oculus Optikgeraete GmbH
Original Assignee
Oculus Optikgeraete GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oculus Optikgeraete GmbH filed Critical Oculus Optikgeraete GmbH
Assigned to OCULUS OPTIKGERAETE GMBH reassignment OCULUS OPTIKGERAETE GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KOEST, GERT
Publication of US20070236664A1 publication Critical patent/US20070236664A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7708406B2 publication Critical patent/US7708406B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B3/00Apparatus for testing the eyes; Instruments for examining the eyes
    • A61B3/10Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
    • A61B3/103Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions for determining refraction, e.g. refractometers, skiascopes

Definitions

  • the invention pertains to a refractometer according to the preamble of Claim 1 for determining the refraction properties of an eye.
  • Refractometers of this type are also frequently referred to as autorefractors and serve for measuring the refraction of an eye and, if applicable, the ametropia thereof from a distance.
  • a light pattern is produced with the aid of an optical projection device, for example, light-emitting diodes, and projected on the retina of the eye.
  • the projection of the light pattern is realized such that the light pattern is focused on the retina.
  • the light pattern reflected on the retina is viewed through the eye lens by means of an optical viewing device that comprises a photoelectric sensor, for example, a video camera, such that an image pattern is projected on the photoelectric sensor.
  • This image pattern is recorded with the photoelectric sensor and evaluated with an evaluation device, preferably digital image data processing software.
  • the light pattern projected on the retina is characteristically distorted in accordance with the refraction properties of the eye such that the refraction properties of the eye can be derived by evaluating the degree of distortion.
  • One important aspect for the correct derivation of the refraction properties is that the eye is arranged a certain distance from the refractometer. Deviations in the distance between the eye and the refractometer result in a correspondingly altered distortion of the light pattern on the photoelectric sensor such that these deviations lead to measuring errors in the determination of the refraction properties.
  • DE 101 53 397 A1 describes a refractometer system that also features a measuring unit for determining the distance between the device and the patient.
  • the data obtained from the distance measurement can be used for positioning the patient correctly in front of the device. It would therefore also be conceivable to incorporate the distance information into the evaluation and thusly correct the refraction measurement data accordingly.
  • Suitable measuring systems for determining this distance are described in DE 101 53 397 A1 and respectively consist of an ultrasonic transceiver and an optical distance measuring system, in which a light pattern is projected on the forehead of the person being examined in order to measure the distance between the forehead and the measuring system.
  • the present invention aims to propose a new refractometer with integrated distance measuring device that eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the distance measuring device provided in the refractometer should be suitable for measuring the distance between the refractometer and the eye to be examined because only this distance is important for the correction of the measuring data. Only the utilization of this distance data that describes the distance between the eye and the refractometer makes it possible to respectively position the patient correctly or to properly correct the refraction measurement data.
  • the measuring accuracy can be improved if the distance measuring device makes it possible to measure the distance between the refractometer and the cornea of the eye, particularly the front surface of the cornea and/or the rear surface of the eye.
  • the distance measuring device also makes it possible to measure the distance between be refractometer and the lens of the eye, particularly the front surface of the lens and/or the rear surface of lens.
  • the distance measuring device may essentially be realized arbitrarily. It proved particularly advantageous with respect to the measuring accuracy to utilize a distance measuring device that comprises a slit projection device for the slit illumination of the eye and a Scheimpflug camera for recording split images of the eye.
  • a distance measuring device that comprises a slit projection device for the slit illumination of the eye and a Scheimpflug camera for recording split images of the eye.
  • An evaluation of the image data of the split images recorded with the Scheimpflug camera makes it possible to derive the distance between the refractometer and the eye with extremely high accuracy.
  • the evaluation of the split images also makes it possible to measure the distance to the front surface or the rear surface of the cornea as well as the distance to the front surface or the rear surface of the lens.
  • the refractometer utilizes a Scheimpflug camera for the distance measurement
  • said camera may naturally also be utilized for carrying out conventional tacheometric measuring tasks. For example, it would also be possible to derive the thickness of the cornea tissue from of the split images.
  • a second optical projection device and a second optical projection device and a second optical viewing device may also be integrated into the refractometer, wherein the second optical projection device forms a keratometer in cooperation with the second optical viewing device and a suitable evaluation device.
  • the measuring markings of the keratometer that form part of the projection device may essentially be realized arbitrarily. It is particularly preferred if two collimated light spots and an essentially circular, non-collimated light strip are provided as measuring markings in the projection device of the keratometer.
  • the collimated light spots are preferably produced with light-emitting diodes that are arranged in a tubular body, wherein lenses are respectively arranged in front of the light-emitting diodes.
  • the circular non-collimated light strip is preferably produced with an optical waveguide element in the shape of a circular cylinder.
  • the light of an illuminating means is coupled into the optical waveguide element on the rear face and/or the cylinder circumference and emerges from the optical waveguide element on the front face.
  • the illuminating means for the optical waveguide element in the shape of a circular cylinder may also consist of light-emitting diodes that are preferably distributed over the circumference of the optical waveguide element in the shape of a circular cylinder.
  • the light source used for producing the light pattern in the optical projection device of the refractometer may essentially be realized arbitrarily. Infrared light sources proved particularly advantageous in this respect.
  • a pin diaphragm is preferably provided in the optical viewing device of the refractometer.
  • the photoelectric sensors in the different viewing devices of the refractometer or the Scheimpflug camera or the keratometer may essentially be realized arbitrarily. It is preferred to utilize video sensors that convert the recorded image data into a video signal and forward the video signal to downstream functional units. It is particularly cost-efficient if the video sensors consist of chip cameras, particularly CCD cameras.
  • the video signal of the video sensor should preferably have a digital data format in order to easily process the digital image data.
  • a set-up camera or a view camera should be provided in the refractometer in order to easily align the eye to be examined before the beginning of the measurement and to view the eye during the examination.
  • the set-up camera can be simultaneously used as a view camera during the measurement.
  • the optical viewing device of the keratometer can also be used as a set-up camera or a view camera, respectively.
  • FIG. 1 shows the schematic design of one embodiment of a refractometer according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows the beam path of a refractometer 01 for carrying out measurements on the eye 02 .
  • An optical projection device 03 and an optical viewing device 04 that form an autorefractor in cooperation with an objective 05 and a not-shown evaluation device are used for determining the refraction properties of an eye 02 .
  • the optical projection device 03 makes it possible to project and focus a light pattern on the retina of the eye 02 .
  • the optical projection device 03 comprises a pin diaphragm 06 , a lens 07 and an infrared light source 08 .
  • the optical viewing device 04 of the autorefractor comprises a sextuple pin diaphragm 09 , a deflecting prism 10 , an objective 11 and a CCD camera 12 .
  • the image data recorded with the CCD camera 12 are evaluated in the downstream evaluation device that is realized in the form of a digital image processing system in order to determine the refraction properties of the eye 02 .
  • a mirror 13 with pin diaphragm serves for coupling the different beam paths of the optical projection device 03 and the optical viewing device 04 .
  • the refractometer 01 furthermore comprises an adjustably supported fixation marking 14 , the beam path of which is coupled by means of a separating plate 15 .
  • a distance measuring device In order to determine the distance of the eye 02 relative to the refractometer, a distance measuring device is provided that consists of a slit projection device 16 and a Scheimpflug camera 17 .
  • the slit projection device 16 and the Scheimpflug camera 17 are arranged in accordance with the Scheimpflug rule such that the split images recorded with the Scheimpflug camera 17 are suitable for determining the distance between the refractometer 01 and the eye 02 by means of image data analysis.
  • the image data analysis of the split images of the eye 02 makes it possible, in particular, to determine the distance of the refractometer 01 to the cornea of the eye, particularly the front surface or rear surface of the cornea, as well as the distance of the refractometer 01 from the lens of the eye, particularly the front surface of the lens or the rear surface of the lens.
  • the slit projection device 16 and the Scheimpflug camera 17 naturally can also be used for carrying out normal tacheometric measurements, particularly measurements of the thickness of the cornea.
  • the slit projection device 16 comprises an objective 18 , a slit diaphragm 19 and a slit lamp 20 .
  • the Scheimpflug camera 17 is arranged angularly relative to the eye 02 in accordance with the Scheimpflug rule and comprises an objective 21 and a CCD camera 22 that serves as the image recording device of the Scheimpflug camera.
  • a keratometer that consists of a suitable projection device 23 and an assigned optical viewing device 24 is also integrated into the refractometer 01 .
  • two light-emitting diodes 25 serve as collimated light spots.
  • An optical waveguide element 26 with assigned LEDs serves as collimated light strip with circular-cylindrical geometry.
  • An objective 28 and a CCD camera 29 are provided in the optical viewing device 24 .
  • the CCD camera 29 simultaneously serves as a set-up camera and viewing camera.
  • Two separating plates 30 and 31 serve for coupling the beam paths of the slit projection device 16 and of the optical viewing device 24 of the keratometer.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Eye Examination Apparatus (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

The invention pertains to a refractometer (01) for determining the refraction properties of an eye (02) of a patient
    • with an optical projection device (03) that comprises at least one light source (08) that produces a light pattern, wherein the light pattern of the projection device (03) can be projected on the retina of the eye (02) and focused thereon,
    • with an optical viewing device (04) that comprises at least one photoelectric sensor (12), wherein the light pattern reflected on the retina of the eye (02) can be viewed through the cornea and the lens of the eye with the viewing device (4) and projected on the photoelectric sensor (12) in the form of an image pattern,
    • with an evaluation device for evaluating the image pattern recorded by the photoelectric sensor (12) and deriving the refraction properties of the eye, and
    • with a distance measuring device for determining the distance between the refractometer (01) and the patient. The distance measuring device (16, 17) makes it possible to measure the distance between the refractometer (01) and the eye (02).

Description

FIELD
The invention pertains to a refractometer according to the preamble of Claim 1 for determining the refraction properties of an eye.
BACKGROUND
Refractometers of this type are also frequently referred to as autorefractors and serve for measuring the refraction of an eye and, if applicable, the ametropia thereof from a distance.
The basic principle of such refractometers is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,070. A light pattern is produced with the aid of an optical projection device, for example, light-emitting diodes, and projected on the retina of the eye. The projection of the light pattern is realized such that the light pattern is focused on the retina. The light pattern reflected on the retina is viewed through the eye lens by means of an optical viewing device that comprises a photoelectric sensor, for example, a video camera, such that an image pattern is projected on the photoelectric sensor. This image pattern is recorded with the photoelectric sensor and evaluated with an evaluation device, preferably digital image data processing software. The light pattern projected on the retina is characteristically distorted in accordance with the refraction properties of the eye such that the refraction properties of the eye can be derived by evaluating the degree of distortion.
One important aspect for the correct derivation of the refraction properties is that the eye is arranged a certain distance from the refractometer. Deviations in the distance between the eye and the refractometer result in a correspondingly altered distortion of the light pattern on the photoelectric sensor such that these deviations lead to measuring errors in the determination of the refraction properties.
In order to prevent these measuring errors, DE 101 53 397 A1 describes a refractometer system that also features a measuring unit for determining the distance between the device and the patient. The data obtained from the distance measurement can be used for positioning the patient correctly in front of the device. It would therefore also be conceivable to incorporate the distance information into the evaluation and thusly correct the refraction measurement data accordingly.
Suitable measuring systems for determining this distance are described in DE 101 53 397 A1 and respectively consist of an ultrasonic transceiver and an optical distance measuring system, in which a light pattern is projected on the forehead of the person being examined in order to measure the distance between the forehead and the measuring system.
The disadvantage of the measuring device described in DE 101 53 397 A1 is that only the distance between the head of the patient and the refractometer can be measured. This measurement is therefore inaccurate and, in principle, does not suffice for suitably correcting the refractometer data because the position of the head does not contain definitive information on the position of the eye. The correction of the measuring data consequently leads to unsatisfactory results.
SUMMARY
Based in this state of the art, the present invention aims to propose a new refractometer with integrated distance measuring device that eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.
This objective is attained with a refractometer according to the characteristics of Claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention from the objects of the dependent claims.
The fundamental idea of the invention is that the distance measuring device provided in the refractometer should be suitable for measuring the distance between the refractometer and the eye to be examined because only this distance is important for the correction of the measuring data. Only the utilization of this distance data that describes the distance between the eye and the refractometer makes it possible to respectively position the patient correctly or to properly correct the refraction measurement data.
The measuring accuracy can be improved if the distance measuring device makes it possible to measure the distance between the refractometer and the cornea of the eye, particularly the front surface of the cornea and/or the rear surface of the eye.
Alternatively or additionally, it is particularly advantageous if the distance measuring device also makes it possible to measure the distance between be refractometer and the lens of the eye, particularly the front surface of the lens and/or the rear surface of lens.
The distance measuring device may essentially be realized arbitrarily. It proved particularly advantageous with respect to the measuring accuracy to utilize a distance measuring device that comprises a slit projection device for the slit illumination of the eye and a Scheimpflug camera for recording split images of the eye. An evaluation of the image data of the split images recorded with the Scheimpflug camera makes it possible to derive the distance between the refractometer and the eye with extremely high accuracy. The evaluation of the split images also makes it possible to measure the distance to the front surface or the rear surface of the cornea as well as the distance to the front surface or the rear surface of the lens.
If the refractometer utilizes a Scheimpflug camera for the distance measurement, said camera may naturally also be utilized for carrying out conventional tacheometric measuring tasks. For example, it would also be possible to derive the thickness of the cornea tissue from of the split images.
In order to carry out a correct measurement, it is advantageous that the eye remains stationary during the measurement. This is the reason why it is particularly advantageous if a fixation marking is provided in the refractometer, wherein said fixation marking is fixed during the measurement of the eye so as to prevent undesirable eye movements.
In order to broaden the functional spectrum of the refractometer, a second optical projection device and a second optical projection device and a second optical viewing device may also be integrated into the refractometer, wherein the second optical projection device forms a keratometer in cooperation with the second optical viewing device and a suitable evaluation device. The measuring markings of the keratometer that form part of the projection device may essentially be realized arbitrarily. It is particularly preferred if two collimated light spots and an essentially circular, non-collimated light strip are provided as measuring markings in the projection device of the keratometer.
The collimated light spots are preferably produced with light-emitting diodes that are arranged in a tubular body, wherein lenses are respectively arranged in front of the light-emitting diodes.
The circular non-collimated light strip is preferably produced with an optical waveguide element in the shape of a circular cylinder. In this case, the light of an illuminating means is coupled into the optical waveguide element on the rear face and/or the cylinder circumference and emerges from the optical waveguide element on the front face. In this case, the illuminating means for the optical waveguide element in the shape of a circular cylinder may also consist of light-emitting diodes that are preferably distributed over the circumference of the optical waveguide element in the shape of a circular cylinder.
The light source used for producing the light pattern in the optical projection device of the refractometer may essentially be realized arbitrarily. Infrared light sources proved particularly advantageous in this respect.
A pin diaphragm is preferably provided in the optical viewing device of the refractometer.
The photoelectric sensors in the different viewing devices of the refractometer or the Scheimpflug camera or the keratometer may essentially be realized arbitrarily. It is preferred to utilize video sensors that convert the recorded image data into a video signal and forward the video signal to downstream functional units. It is particularly cost-efficient if the video sensors consist of chip cameras, particularly CCD cameras.
The video signal of the video sensor should preferably have a digital data format in order to easily process the digital image data.
A set-up camera or a view camera should be provided in the refractometer in order to easily align the eye to be examined before the beginning of the measurement and to view the eye during the examination. In a suitable arrangement, the set-up camera can be simultaneously used as a view camera during the measurement.
If a keratometer is integrated into the refractometer, the optical viewing device of the keratometer can also be used as a set-up camera or a view camera, respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated in the drawing and described in an exemplary fashion below.
In this drawing,
FIG. 1 shows the schematic design of one embodiment of a refractometer according to the invention.
FIG. 1 schematically shows the beam path of a refractometer 01 for carrying out measurements on the eye 02.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An optical projection device 03 and an optical viewing device 04 that form an autorefractor in cooperation with an objective 05 and a not-shown evaluation device are used for determining the refraction properties of an eye 02. The optical projection device 03 makes it possible to project and focus a light pattern on the retina of the eye 02. In this case, the optical projection device 03 comprises a pin diaphragm 06, a lens 07 and an infrared light source 08. The optical viewing device 04 of the autorefractor comprises a sextuple pin diaphragm 09, a deflecting prism 10, an objective 11 and a CCD camera 12. The image data recorded with the CCD camera 12 are evaluated in the downstream evaluation device that is realized in the form of a digital image processing system in order to determine the refraction properties of the eye 02. A mirror 13 with pin diaphragm serves for coupling the different beam paths of the optical projection device 03 and the optical viewing device 04.
In order to fix the eye 02 while the measurement is carried out, the refractometer 01 furthermore comprises an adjustably supported fixation marking 14, the beam path of which is coupled by means of a separating plate 15.
In order to determine the distance of the eye 02 relative to the refractometer, a distance measuring device is provided that consists of a slit projection device 16 and a Scheimpflug camera 17. The slit projection device 16 and the Scheimpflug camera 17 are arranged in accordance with the Scheimpflug rule such that the split images recorded with the Scheimpflug camera 17 are suitable for determining the distance between the refractometer 01 and the eye 02 by means of image data analysis. The image data analysis of the split images of the eye 02 makes it possible, in particular, to determine the distance of the refractometer 01 to the cornea of the eye, particularly the front surface or rear surface of the cornea, as well as the distance of the refractometer 01 from the lens of the eye, particularly the front surface of the lens or the rear surface of the lens. In addition, the slit projection device 16 and the Scheimpflug camera 17 naturally can also be used for carrying out normal tacheometric measurements, particularly measurements of the thickness of the cornea. The slit projection device 16 comprises an objective 18, a slit diaphragm 19 and a slit lamp 20. The Scheimpflug camera 17 is arranged angularly relative to the eye 02 in accordance with the Scheimpflug rule and comprises an objective 21 and a CCD camera 22 that serves as the image recording device of the Scheimpflug camera.
In addition, a keratometer that consists of a suitable projection device 23 and an assigned optical viewing device 24 is also integrated into the refractometer 01. In the optical projection device, two light-emitting diodes 25 serve as collimated light spots. An optical waveguide element 26 with assigned LEDs serves as collimated light strip with circular-cylindrical geometry. An objective 28 and a CCD camera 29 are provided in the optical viewing device 24. The CCD camera 29 simultaneously serves as a set-up camera and viewing camera. Two separating plates 30 and 31 serve for coupling the beam paths of the slit projection device 16 and of the optical viewing device 24 of the keratometer.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
  • 01 Refractometer
  • 02 Eye
  • 03 Optical projection device (autorefractor)
  • 04 Optical viewing device (autorefractor)
  • 05 Objective (autorefractor)
  • 06 Pin diaphragm
  • 07 Lens
  • 08 Infrared light source
  • 09 Pin diaphragm
  • 10 Deflecting prism
  • 11 Objective
  • 12 CCD camera
  • 13 Mirror with pin diaphragm
  • 14 Fixation marking
  • 15 Separating plate
  • 16 Slit projection device
  • 17 Scheimpflug camera
  • 18 Objective
  • 19 Slit diaphragm
  • 20 Slit lamp
  • 21 Objective
  • 22 CCD camera
  • 23 Optical projection device (keratometer)
  • 24 Optical viewing device (keratometer)
  • 25 LED
  • 26 Optical waveguide in the shape of a circular cylinder
  • 27 LED
  • 28 Objective
  • 29 CCD Camera
  • 30 Separating plate
  • 31 Separating plate

Claims (22)

1. A refractometer for determining the refraction properties of an eye of a patient, comprising:
an optical projection device that comprises at least one light source that produces a light pattern, wherein the light pattern of the projection device is projected on the retina of the eye and focused thereon,
an optical viewing device that comprises at least one photoelectric sensor, wherein the optical viewing device views the light pattern reflected on the retina of the eye through the cornea and the lens of the eye and wherein the light pattern is projected on the photoelectric sensor in the form of an image pattern,
an evaluation device for evaluating the image pattern recorded by the photoelectric sensor and deriving the refraction properties of the eye, and
a distance measuring device for determining the distance between the refractometer and the patient, wherein the distance measuring device is able to measure the distance between the refractometer and the eye, and wherein the distance measuring device includes a slit projection device to illuminate the eye and a Scheimpflug camera to record split images of the eye, wherein the distance between the refractometer and the eye is derived from the split images of the eye.
2. The refractometer according to claim 1, wherein the distance measuring device is able to measure the distance between the refractometer and the cornea of the eye, particularly the front surface of the cornea and/or the rear surface of the cornea.
3. The refractometer according to claim 1, wherein the distance measuring device is able to measure the distance between the refractometer and the lens of the eye, particularly the front surface of the lens and/or the rear surface of the lens.
4. The refractometer according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the cornea tissue can also be derived from the split images of the eye in an evaluation device.
5. The refractometer according to claim 1, wherein the refractometer includes a fixation marking that is fixed by the eye during a measurement.
6. The refractometer according to claim 5, wherein the actual or virtual distance between the eye and the fixation marking is variable.
7. The refractometer according to claim 6, wherein the actual distance between the eye and the fixation marking is varied by adjusting the fixation marking in the refractometer.
8. The refractometer according to claim 6, wherein the virtual distance between the eye and the fixation marking is varied by adjusting at least one lens in the beam path between the fixation marking and the eye.
9. The refractometer according to claim 1, wherein the refractometer includes a second optical protection device and a second optical viewing device that form a keratometer in cooperation with an evaluation device.
10. The refractometer according to claim 9, wherein a defined measurement marking is projected on the cornea with the projection device of the keratometer.
11. The refractometer according to claim 9, wherein the measurement marking features two collimated light spots and a non-collimated light strip that essentially has the shape of a circular cylinder.
12. The refractometer according to claim 11, wherein the collimated light spots are respectively produced by a light-emitting diode arranged in a tubular body, wherein at least one lens is arranged in front of the light-emitting diodes.
13. The refractometer according to claim 11, wherein the non-collimated light strip in the shape of a circular cylinder is produced with an optical waveguide element that has the shape of a circular cylinder, wherein the light of at least one illuminating means is coupled into the optical waveguide element on the rear face or the cylinder circumference and emerges from the optical waveguide element on the front face.
14. An analyzing system according to claim 13, wherein the illuminating means comprise several light-emitting diodes that are distributed over the circumference of the optical waveguide element in the shape of a circular cylinder.
15. The refractometer according to claim 1, wherein an infrared light source is provided in the optical projection device of the refractometer in order to produce the light pattern.
16. The refractometer according to claim 1, wherein a pin diaphragm is provided in the optical viewing device of the refractometer.
17. The refractometer according to claim 1, wherein at least one video sensor is respectively provided in the optical viewing device of the refractometer or in the Scheimpflug camera, wherein the video sensor forwards the image data in the form of a video signal.
18. The refractometer according to claim 17, wherein the video sensors comprise a chip camera.
19. The refractometer according to claim 17, wherein the video signal is generated in a digital data format or converted into a digital data format.
20. The refractometer according to claim 1, wherein a digital image processing system suitable for evaluating digital image data is used as the evaluation device of the refractometer or the Scheimpflug camera.
21. The refractometer according to claim 1, wherein the refractometer features a set-up camera for aligning the eye to be examined in the correct position or a view camera for viewing the eye to be examined during the examination.
22. The refractometer according to claim 9, wherein the optical viewing device of the keratometer can also be used as a set-up camera or a view camera.
US11/784,320 2006-04-11 2007-04-05 Refractometer for determining the refraction properties of an eye Active 2028-04-07 US7708406B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102006017389.9 2006-04-11
DE102006017389 2006-04-11
DE102006017389A DE102006017389A1 (en) 2006-04-11 2006-04-11 Refraction measuring device for determining the refractive properties of an eye

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20070236664A1 US20070236664A1 (en) 2007-10-11
US7708406B2 true US7708406B2 (en) 2010-05-04

Family

ID=38069197

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/784,320 Active 2028-04-07 US7708406B2 (en) 2006-04-11 2007-04-05 Refractometer for determining the refraction properties of an eye

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US7708406B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1844704B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4662962B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE443471T1 (en)
DE (2) DE102006017389A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2334265T3 (en)
PL (1) PL1844704T3 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100302509A1 (en) * 2009-06-02 2010-12-02 Oculus Optikgerate Gmbh Method of determining a contact lens
US20110118585A1 (en) * 2008-05-15 2011-05-19 University Of Tsukuba Eyeball tissue characteristic frequency measurement device and non-contact tonometer utilizing the same
US20150077705A1 (en) * 2013-09-19 2015-03-19 Alcon Research, Ltd. Integrated OCT-Refractometer System for Ocular Biometry
US11324400B2 (en) 2020-07-07 2022-05-10 Scintellite, Llc Apparatus and method for automated non-contact eye examination
US11779207B2 (en) 2019-01-21 2023-10-10 Oculus Optikgeraete Gmbh Method and vision testing system for testing the eyes

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090096987A1 (en) * 2007-10-10 2009-04-16 Ming Lai Eye Measurement Apparatus and a Method of Using Same
ES2337866B2 (en) * 2008-07-24 2011-02-14 Universidad Complutense De Madrid BIOMETRIC RECOGNITION THROUGH STUDY OF THE SURFACE MAP OF THE SECOND OCULAR DIOPTRY.
DE102011082500A1 (en) * 2011-08-26 2013-02-28 Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH Ophthalmological analyzer and method
JP6557707B2 (en) 2017-08-04 2019-08-07 エルライズ株式会社 Ophthalmic measuring device and ophthalmic measuring system
DE102019105756B4 (en) 2019-03-07 2021-05-27 Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH Procedure and vision testing system for examining eyes
CN110584591B (en) * 2019-09-03 2024-04-30 佛山科学技术学院 High-precision portable diopter detector

Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE456169C (en) 1926-10-05 1928-02-17 Rodenstock Optik G Eye refractometer
US4588270A (en) * 1981-10-28 1986-05-13 Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Curvature measuring apparatus
US4761070A (en) 1984-12-07 1988-08-02 Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Eye refractometer
US4812033A (en) * 1985-02-26 1989-03-14 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ophthalmic apparatus
EP0563454A1 (en) 1992-03-30 1993-10-06 Henning Dipl.-Phys. Stiller Method and apparatus for investigating the eyes
DE19719694A1 (en) 1997-05-09 1998-11-26 Univ Eberhard Karls Device for detecting and displaying a person's ametropia
US5886767A (en) 1996-10-09 1999-03-23 Snook; Richard K. Keratometry system and method for measuring physical parameters of the cornea
DE29913602U1 (en) 1999-08-04 1999-11-25 Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, 35582 Wetzlar Device for eye examination with a Scheimpflug camera and a slit projector for taking sectional images of an eye
EP0962184A1 (en) 1998-06-03 1999-12-08 Welch Allyn, Inc. Compact system for measuring eye refraction
US6033071A (en) 1998-09-11 2000-03-07 Clawson; Burrell E. Method and apparatus for measuring distance between an eye and a lens
US6120444A (en) * 1998-06-05 2000-09-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon Noncontact tonometer capable of measuring intraocular tension by optically detecting deformation of cornea caused by air current
US6309068B1 (en) 1997-08-05 2001-10-30 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Eye examining apparatus
WO2002080760A1 (en) 2001-04-09 2002-10-17 Sis Ag Surgical Instrument Systems Method and device for determining the cornea thickness of an eye
EP1308128A2 (en) 2001-11-01 2003-05-07 plusoptiX AG Apparatus and method for measuring the refraction of the eye
US6603103B1 (en) * 1998-07-08 2003-08-05 Ppt Vision, Inc. Circuit for machine-vision system
US6682195B2 (en) * 2001-10-25 2004-01-27 Ophthonix, Inc. Custom eyeglass manufacturing method
WO2004037078A1 (en) 2002-10-28 2004-05-06 Carl Zeiss Meditec Ag Ophthalmological appliance and method for positioning the appliance

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3615871B2 (en) * 1996-05-31 2005-02-02 株式会社ニデック Anterior segment cross-section imaging device
JP2002200045A (en) * 2000-10-24 2002-07-16 Topcon Corp Ophthalmic instrument
JP2002238852A (en) * 2001-02-22 2002-08-27 Canon Inc Optometrical device
JP4616489B2 (en) * 2001-02-28 2011-01-19 株式会社トプコン Eye refractive power measuring device
JP2003093345A (en) * 2001-09-27 2003-04-02 Canon Inc Ophthalmologic system
JP4216549B2 (en) * 2002-08-09 2009-01-28 株式会社トプコン Ophthalmic optical characteristic measuring device
JP4349934B2 (en) * 2003-03-31 2009-10-21 株式会社ニデック Ophthalmic equipment
JP4494075B2 (en) * 2004-04-16 2010-06-30 株式会社トプコン Optometry equipment
JP4619694B2 (en) * 2004-06-08 2011-01-26 株式会社ニデック Ophthalmic measuring device

Patent Citations (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE456169C (en) 1926-10-05 1928-02-17 Rodenstock Optik G Eye refractometer
US4588270A (en) * 1981-10-28 1986-05-13 Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Curvature measuring apparatus
US4761070A (en) 1984-12-07 1988-08-02 Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Eye refractometer
US4812033A (en) * 1985-02-26 1989-03-14 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ophthalmic apparatus
EP0563454A1 (en) 1992-03-30 1993-10-06 Henning Dipl.-Phys. Stiller Method and apparatus for investigating the eyes
US5886767A (en) 1996-10-09 1999-03-23 Snook; Richard K. Keratometry system and method for measuring physical parameters of the cornea
DE19719694A1 (en) 1997-05-09 1998-11-26 Univ Eberhard Karls Device for detecting and displaying a person's ametropia
US6309068B1 (en) 1997-08-05 2001-10-30 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Eye examining apparatus
EP0962184A1 (en) 1998-06-03 1999-12-08 Welch Allyn, Inc. Compact system for measuring eye refraction
US6120444A (en) * 1998-06-05 2000-09-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon Noncontact tonometer capable of measuring intraocular tension by optically detecting deformation of cornea caused by air current
US6603103B1 (en) * 1998-07-08 2003-08-05 Ppt Vision, Inc. Circuit for machine-vision system
US6033071A (en) 1998-09-11 2000-03-07 Clawson; Burrell E. Method and apparatus for measuring distance between an eye and a lens
EP1074214A1 (en) 1999-08-04 2001-02-07 Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH Ophthalmic device comprising a Scheimpflug camera and a slit projector
DE29913602U1 (en) 1999-08-04 1999-11-25 Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, 35582 Wetzlar Device for eye examination with a Scheimpflug camera and a slit projector for taking sectional images of an eye
WO2002080760A1 (en) 2001-04-09 2002-10-17 Sis Ag Surgical Instrument Systems Method and device for determining the cornea thickness of an eye
US6682195B2 (en) * 2001-10-25 2004-01-27 Ophthonix, Inc. Custom eyeglass manufacturing method
EP1308128A2 (en) 2001-11-01 2003-05-07 plusoptiX AG Apparatus and method for measuring the refraction of the eye
DE10153397A1 (en) 2001-11-01 2003-05-15 Plusoptix Ag Device and method for measuring refraction
US20030108350A1 (en) * 2001-11-01 2003-06-12 Johannes Brauning System and method for measuring the refraction
WO2004037078A1 (en) 2002-10-28 2004-05-06 Carl Zeiss Meditec Ag Ophthalmological appliance and method for positioning the appliance

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
European Patent Office Search Report for Application No. EP 07 00 3204, 8 pgs. (Jun. 27, 2007).

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110118585A1 (en) * 2008-05-15 2011-05-19 University Of Tsukuba Eyeball tissue characteristic frequency measurement device and non-contact tonometer utilizing the same
US8545404B2 (en) * 2008-05-15 2013-10-01 University Of Tsukuba Eyeball tissue characteristic frequency measurement device and non-contact tonometer utilizing the same
US20100302509A1 (en) * 2009-06-02 2010-12-02 Oculus Optikgerate Gmbh Method of determining a contact lens
US8220927B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2012-07-17 Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH Method of determining a contact lens
US20150077705A1 (en) * 2013-09-19 2015-03-19 Alcon Research, Ltd. Integrated OCT-Refractometer System for Ocular Biometry
US9538911B2 (en) * 2013-09-19 2017-01-10 Novartis Ag Integrated OCT-refractometer system for ocular biometry
US10299671B2 (en) * 2013-09-19 2019-05-28 Novartis Ag Integrated OCT-refractometer system for ocular biometry
US11779207B2 (en) 2019-01-21 2023-10-10 Oculus Optikgeraete Gmbh Method and vision testing system for testing the eyes
US11324400B2 (en) 2020-07-07 2022-05-10 Scintellite, Llc Apparatus and method for automated non-contact eye examination
US11857259B2 (en) 2020-07-07 2024-01-02 Scintellite, Llc Apparatus and method for automated non-contact eye examination

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102006017389A1 (en) 2007-10-18
PL1844704T3 (en) 2010-02-26
ES2334265T3 (en) 2010-03-08
JP4662962B2 (en) 2011-03-30
EP1844704A1 (en) 2007-10-17
EP1844704B1 (en) 2009-09-23
JP2007275600A (en) 2007-10-25
US20070236664A1 (en) 2007-10-11
ATE443471T1 (en) 2009-10-15
DE502007001560D1 (en) 2009-11-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7708406B2 (en) Refractometer for determining the refraction properties of an eye
US7252380B2 (en) Ophthalmologic analysis system
JP5930660B2 (en) Ophthalmic equipment
US7293874B2 (en) Apparatus for measuring anterior ocular segment
JP2000135200A (en) Optometric apparatus
JP3597274B2 (en) Ophthalmic equipment
JPH08173385A (en) Ophthalmic instrument
JP4164199B2 (en) Ophthalmic measuring device
JP3305410B2 (en) Ophthalmic equipment
JP4159190B2 (en) Ophthalmic measuring device
JP3927873B2 (en) Eye refractive power measuring device
JPH11235316A (en) Optometrical device
JP3892434B2 (en) Ophthalmic equipment
JP3497007B2 (en) Ophthalmic equipment
JP3187083B2 (en) Optometry device
JP2000070224A (en) Eye examination device
JP3497004B2 (en) Ophthalmic equipment
JP3112108B2 (en) Corneal thickness measuring device
JP4644842B2 (en) Non-contact tonometer
JP4630107B2 (en) Ophthalmic optical characteristic measuring device
JPH07255678A (en) Optometrical instrument
JP3154533B2 (en) Ophthalmic equipment
JP4880829B2 (en) Corneal shape measuring device
JP3181893B2 (en) Eye refractometer
JP2001061780A (en) Ophthalmoscopic device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: OCULUS OPTIKGERAETE GMBH, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KOEST, GERT;REEL/FRAME:019453/0496

Effective date: 20070604

Owner name: OCULUS OPTIKGERAETE GMBH,GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KOEST, GERT;REEL/FRAME:019453/0496

Effective date: 20070604

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YR, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2552)

Year of fee payment: 8

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 12TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1553); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 12